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CHAPTER I.
VITAL STATISTICS
1. The population of the Borough in mid-1956 was estimated
by the Registrar-General to be 128,300 and whilst this is considerably
below 131,384 the census figure for 1951 it probably represents
the most accurate figure attainable. It is an interesting observation
that the population of Wembley and Kingsbury recorded in the census
of 1931 was some 65,799, an inter-census increase of 99.7%.
Wembley remains the fifth largest County District in Middlesex, those
greater, according to population, being Harrow, Ealing, Willesden
and Hendon.
2. In 1956 there were recorded 1,492 live births, giving a birth
rate of 11.63 per thousand of the estimated population. The number
of deaths was 1,160 giving a crude death rate of 9.04 per thousand.
When the comparability factor (1.18) is applied the standardised
death rate becomes 10.67, an increase on last year's figure but below
the national rate of 11.7 per thousand of the population.
3. The infantile mortality rate of 16.76 showed once again a
slight drop compared with the figure for the previous year and is
below the national rate for England and Wales, yet one feels some
comment is not out of place. Prematurity continues to be the main
cause of neonatal death and the emergency unit maintained at the
Edgware General Hospital is of advantage in cases of prematurity,
probably keeping this rate to an absolute minimum.
During the year there were two infant deaths as a result of misadventure
and, whilst it would be churlish to offer any detailed comments,
one cannot help feeling that if such accidents could be avoided
it could be nothing but advantageous to the families concerned and to
the community generally.
4. During the year two deaths were recorded in adult women
from maternal causes. Both of these occurred in hospital and the
investigations which take place as a routine in all cases of maternal
death revealed that every medical procedure possible seems to have
been taken in relation to the two pregnancies.
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